The Press., 1887-10-20
THE STAFFORD FAIR.
From the State Pomologist.) STAFFORD FAIR.


 The ladies were also profuse in bringing out their skilled works.
 The horsemen were out in full force with their attractions and Stafford always gives a good bill of entertainment And not the last Tn the hardy yeomaury, the noble mon and women, the bright boys and girls who annually congregate at these fairs.
 But my special province was to examine and judge the fruits which as heretofore were in profusion.
 The amount to be divided on varieties was ten dollars, far too little for 80 worthy a collection, and awards were made until it was found that the limits had already been passed, when we began 10 realize that the work of award had but fairly begun. So it must be admitted that very many meritorious exhibits failed of an award, by the conditions of the rules. We trust, how ever, that the discretionary committee may have filled in part what was lacking in the first judgment, by limitation.
 The dairy department was a show in itself, worth a days study, and the collec. tion of vegetables was full and excellent as usual.
 The Stafford fair affords a gala day to all the citizens in the vicinity and hundreds far beyond.
 l hope may be allowed to make few suggestions for the more perfect arrange ment in future of fruits. l begin by say ing that the whole fair is q great institute for instruction, and as with a teachers in- stitute or any other institute, it should give clear, pLdia, tdngi6Le and good lessons Hence, lst of all, systematic arrangement. There are collections of fruit competing for special premium on collections, then many dishes compete for the best dish | Q,,1 .n ..,A so that if we wish to award premium on Baldwin apples the entire fruit exhibit must be looked over before we can make judgement, and then no two plates of that variety are together so with all other va rieties of fruits, hence liability to err in judgement. And so with all visitors, they get only confused idea of things Now my idea would be this lst, a ta- ble should be assigned to collections of fruit simply as collections, upon which premiums be awarded only as collections, the first premium to be not less than 80 and the lowest not less than two dollars, all to be correctly named so far as possible. Then a table for single dish premiums. Begin at the head of the table with the Alexander and all apples of A, then Bald win and all apples of B and so on alpha betically till the show is complete, each kind grouped by itself. Now if a man want to see the Sutton Beauty, Wolf River apple, he soon finds it, so do the judges. Now we do not go to a table of fruit simply to see a blending of colors but to learn something, and if we get at one view the show of apples in Holland county and compare the whole group of that va. riety we get a more satisfactory idea than would be possible under any other circum- stances. So with all varieties of fruit. Let the Concord grapes all be grouped togeth- CT, the Sheldon pear and every other va- riety.
 To accomplish this perfectly needs a good fruit man as superintendent of this department, who will insist on carrying out this idea. Some men will insist on mixing apples, grapes, ,cranberries, peaches, pears and quinces all in together, like a plum pudding, and then desire premium 1st on the pudding and then on all the plums in it.
 But there is a better way and we have made the foregoing suggestions hoping they may commend themselves to the good sense of Stafford society members.
 Now suffer criticism on the horticultu- ral hall where these exhibits are arranged. 1st, by all means light by glass windows and have door at each end and close the broad entrance in front as soon as practic- able. The usual October winds blow fresh in front carrying off entry cards and labels and bringing discomfort to visitors. The entry cards were badly mixed up, leading, probably, to some mistakes as to exhibitors and it was worthy of note that many dish es of fruit, especially apples, were mis- named, in some cases this was owing per haps to misplacing cards blown off the ta- ble, but in some cases probably through ignorance of new varieties.
 A competent superintendent should see that connections are made at time of entry so far as possible to have all right before visitors and judges inspect.
 There is SO much to commend that trust you will bear with the above sugges- tions in order to have the good made still better.
 I would also suggest that each approved variety of apple be allowed a lst of 60 and a 2d premium of 25 cents where there is competition, and the same rule apply to other fruits not limiting to BIO, as this year. Respectfully, P. M. Au0UR.
 As we get over the excitement of events that overshadowed even the Big Stafford Fair" as the city papers call 1t, we eau again take pride in the record of our great annual farmers and mechanics festival 1t was an immense thing. Long, we'll filled trains were at frequent intervals dur. ing the day disgorging passengers at the fair ground station, while every road lead ing to the fair ground was black with ve. hicles and pedestrians. It was encourag- ing that with the great break in the man. agement, of which Stafford people carry such regretful remembrance, energetic workers so promptly took up the burden, strengthened out the tangles, and carried all to so successful conclusion. In ev- cry respect the fair was a success, and per. haps the misfortune alluded to may have an attendant blessing in that those who put on the harness may feel inclined to wear it longer and aid in the work that all members of the Stafford society SO rejoice to see carried to successful fruitinn. The society has, as if always has had, need of arduous cooperative work on the part of all who can bear hand.
 The annual meeting of the society will not be held on Saturday of this week, Rs annc unced last week, but at the regular time as indicated by the by-laws-on Sat. urday, October 29tb, at 2 D. m., at the Stafford Springs House. It is hoped that there may be n very large attendance. | The attendance was undoubtedly larger